BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Joonas Koppannen and Edwards Tralmaks had three points to pace the Providence Bruins to a 3-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack Saturday night. Providence won on Friday night, tossing a 5-0 shutout at home against the Hershey Bears, and now have two wins in a row and won five of their last ten. With a whole week of rest, the Wolf Pack rust showed as passes weren't crisp, and scoring chances went unfinished. They had no shots for the first half of the second period. Wolf Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblach was non-committal on his lineup for Sunday. The team struggled offensively. "Sometimes we made that extra pass. We have to be creative and we don't want to take away from that. In games like this when chances are hard to come by. The best way is to simplify our game, get pucks on the net, and our game will take care of the rest and those little things will help open things up more," Matt Lorito spoke following his fourth game as a member of the Wolf Pack. CRUCIAL SECOND PERIOD The second period was crucial. Just seconds after Johnny Brodzinski missed the net with a solid backhander; the Bruins found the back of the net. "We started to build things after we got that goal. We had a lot of zone time, then we made mistakes in the second and third. We had that penalty in the third period that led up to their goal, but there were a lot of mistakes that contributed to our play that led up to that goal," Knoblauch said. Tralmaks, a Latvian native, got the power-play started on the right-wing. He hit Samuel Asselin with a cross-ice feed. Asselin entered the Pack zone on the left-wing side and sent a smooth cross-ice pass to Koppanen. From the top of the right-wing circle, at 16:36, Koppanen blasted a one-timer past Pack netminder Keith Kincaid for his seventh of the season and second of the game. WOLF PACK GOAL Lorito tallied the Wolf Pack's lone goal from Ty Ronning at 10:16 of the second period. It was Lorito's first as a member of the Wolf Pack and his first AHL goal in two years. When he played in Bridgeport, Tanner Fritz, a former teammate, got in the zone along the right-wing boards. He fought off Cam Hughes and former Wolf Pack training camp invitee Blake Hillman, who is on a PTO deal. The puck squirted back behind the net to Ronning. The 5'9 winger backhanded the puck in front to Lorito, who wasted little time taking the shot. The Wolf Pack (23-14-4-2) remains in second place with a .605 winning percentage with the loss. The win puts the Bruins (21-13-3-3-5) closer behind the Pack in third place with a .600 winning percentage. LINES Gettinger-Brodzinski-Greco Ronning-Fritz-Lorito Richards-Khordorenko-Ruesschoff Whalen-O'Leary-DiGiacinto. Tinordi-Lundkvist Giuttari-Robertson Reunanen-Bitetto Kinkaid Huska SCRATCHES Pajuniemi Taylor Skinner Wall Luchuk NOTES Ex-Pack Nik Latta is the nephew of former New Haven Nighthawk Dave Latta. He leaves his team, the EV Weiden (Germany Division-3), coached by his father Ken and where his brother Louis also plays. He was loaned to EV Ravensburg (Germany DEL-2) for the rest of the season. Frédéric Létourneau (Hotchkiss School) departs the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL) to trade the Idaho Steelheads. His father,  Daniel Létourneau, is a former Division-II player from the late 1970s and early 1980s with the University of New Haven Chargers. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack start the second half of their season at their secondary training facility, Champions Skating Center in Cromwell, CT, over the next two days as they prepare for Friday's game with the Springfield Thunderbirds. The taxi squads have been a significant roster disruption for the last two months, but they appear to be gone now. Only one present roster issue remains up in the air. Jarred Tinordi was reassigned by the New York Rangers, as is Zac Jones. They are still with the Pack, who have nine defensemen. As expected, Zach Berzolla was shipped back to the Jacksonville Icemen, the Wolf Pack, and Rangers' ECHL affiliate to get ice time. With the NHL trade deadline approaching next month, it is likely that if the organization makes trades, they will deal from their logjam presently on the backline. The Pack host Springfield and Rochester and Friday and Saturday as they return to action with a full roster of players. NOTES The Bridgeport Islanders saw Austin Czarnik get picked up on waivers by the Seattle Kracken. Ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger captain Ben Holmstrom will be with the Rochester Americans on Saturday after signing a PTO yesterday from the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). Former Wolf Pack Nikalas Jensen was part of Danish hockey history as they won their first Olympic game in 75 years. Denmark won 2-1 over the Czech Republic. Across the way was ex-Pack Tomas Kundratek. He hit the crossbar in the waning seconds for the Czechs as they sought to tie the game. After just one game with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), former QU goalie Keith Petruzzelli was sent back to Newfoundland (St. John's) Growlers (ECHL). Former Wolf Pack Shawn St. Amant plays under his full name Shawn Ouellette St. Amant with the Trois-Rivieres Lions (ECHL). It's common among French players to include either your middle name or your mother's maiden name. Team USA defeated China 8-0 as Sean Farrell had a hat trick and five points in their opening game of the Olympics. A former Yale Bulldog is a brand new father, Brian O'Neill (Jokerit Helsinki Finland-KHL), the only US player with Olympic experience, scored a power play goal. FAMILIAR NAMES A plethora of familiar names on both lineups. Ex-Sound Tiger named an alternate captain, Aaron Ness, now with the Providence Bruins. He was paired with ex-Pack Steven Kampfer who plays with AK Bars Kazan (Russia-KHL) in the opening lineup. He had a gorgeous primary assist on Farrell's second goal. Former Yale Bulldog Ken Agostino (Torpedo Novgorod Russia-KHL) was among the forwards selected by former Rangers coach David Quinn. China had goalie ex-Sound Tiger Jeremy Smith (Kunlun China-KHL) starting in net. The game's first penalty was the one-time Ranger draftee who was traded, Ethan Werek (Kunlun China-KHL). The Chinese assistant coach is former Ranger Alexei Kovalev. Ex-Pack Adam Cracknell (Bakersfield-AHL) and ex-Sound Tiger David Desharnais (HC Fribourg-Gotteron Switzerland-LNA) assisted on Canada's third goal in their opening 5-1 win over Germany. Ex-Pack Adam Tambellini (Rogle BK Sweden-SHL) had the primary assist on their last goal. Ex-Sound Tiger for Germany Tom Kuhnhackl (Skelleftea AIK Sweden-SHL) was held scoreless. Slovakia lost 6-2 to Finland as ex-Pack Marek Hrivik and ex-Springfield Falcons Tomas Jurco, Marko Dano, and ex-Springfield Thunderfield Martin Mancini were held pointless. Another ax-QU goalie Andrew Shortridge is recalled by the Stockton Heat from the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). Ivan Nikolishin, the son of the former Hartford Whaler Andrei Nikolishin, heads to his third team and league as he's loaned from Amur Khabarovsk (Russia-KHL) to Ilves Tampere (Finland-FHL). HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Olympics are into the medal round, and several former Hartford Wolf Pack players and those connected to Connecticut are doing well representing their homelands. Men's Team Canada knocked off the Chinese team on Tuesday, 7-2. Ex-Pack Adam Tambellini garnered five points with two goals, one coming on a penalty shot, with the other three being assists. Ex-Pack Adam Cracknell has one helper in four games. John Gilmour, who's on the taxi squad and has yet to play for the Canadians, has watched his team advance to the quarterfinals against Sweden. Ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger David Desharnais has an assist in four games. Josh Ho-Sang has three assists in four games. Jack McBain, the son of former New Haven Senator Andrew McBain, registered a goal and an assist against China. MORE OLYMPIC NEWS The 7-2 loss eliminated China. Ex-Pack Ryan Sproul had two assists and goalie Jeremy Smith played in every game, going 0-3 and a 5.63 GAA. To make matters worse, he suffered a knee injury and was taken out of the game against Canada. Aforementioned, Sweden features ex-Pack netminder Magnus Hellberg. He has a 2.46 GAA in two games, while fellow ex-Pack, Carl Klingberg, has three points in three games. Ex-New York Ranger and Wolf Pack forward Marek Hrivik, playing for Slovakia, has a goal and two assists in the Olympics. The Slovaks face the American team on Wednesday at 11:10 PM EST. While playing in the Olympics, Hrivik had his KHL deal with Torpedo Novgorod (Russia) terminated by mutual consent. Instead, he signed a contract with his old Swedish team, Leksands IF (SHL), for the rest of the year. Ex-Springfield Falcon Tomas Jurco has one assist in three games for the Slovaks. Another former Falcon, Marko Dano, is pointless in three games. In four games, Marton Marincin, formerly of the Springfield Thunderbirds, has one goal. EX-PACK CAPTAIN KAMPFER Ex-Pack and Ranger Steven Kampfer, who is playing for ex-New York Rangers' head coach, David Quinn, behind the US bench, has three points in three games. Greenwich's Strauss Mann, like Kampfer, is a fellow Michigan alum. He has played very well. In his only game so far in the Olympic games, he is showing to the world why he is atop the Swedish league. Two former Yale Bulldogs, Brian O'Neill, and Kenny Agostino, have had a solid tourney. O'Neill has three points in three games, and Agostino had the game-winning goal against Canada. It's his only point in three games. Ex-Sound Tiger Aaron Ness has an assist in three games. Jake Sanderson, the son of former Hartford Whaler, Geoff Sanderson, has been limited to playing in only one game due to injury but has put one assist to his credit. Switzerland reached the quarterfinals by beating hockey powerhouse the Czech Republic, 4-2. Ex-Pack Raphael Diaz had a goal and an assist and, one he'd like to forget, in his own net. Andres Ambühl Andres Ambühl, 38, is playing in his fifth Olympics and has scored a goal. He is the second oldest player to score. Borje Salming, 40, a tremendous Swedish defenseman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, had potted four goals for Sweden in 1992. Ambuhl is the oldest player to record his first goal. "Today, we played really tight defensively. Everybody came back. We blocked shots. We boxed them out. We won puck battles. Genoni had a hell of a game. He always stopped the first shot, and we cleared the rebounds. I think it was a good, strong effort from the whole team," Diaz told IIHF.com. Ambühl acknowledged his accomplishment. "It's nice to score my first goal at Olympics, but it was great especially for the team," he said to IIHF.com in a post-game interview. "We somehow didn't manage to bury the pucks before and today they bounced our way. Nobody was happy with the preliminary round so we wanted to show that we can play hockey and win too. We wanted to show this reaction. Now we have to continue like that without getting over excited." MORE RESULTS Switzerland faces off with Finland. Latvia was eliminated by upstart Cinderella Denmark 3-2. One Latvian defenseman is former Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) blueliner Karlis Cukste. His KHL deal with his hometown team, Dynamo Riga, dissolved by mutual consent. He signed an agreement with Lahti Pelicans (Finland-FEL) and will report there shortly. Goalie Kristers Gudlevsk, the ex-Sound Tiger, didn't play a game for Latvia. Germany was eliminated by the Slovaks 4-0. Tom Kühnhack had just one goal in the tourney against the US, while former Springfield Falcon Matthia Plachta had one assist in four games. Denmark has ex-Pack Niklas Jensen. He has an assist in four games, while ex-Sound Tiger Frans Nielsen has three assists in three games. He's playing for the ROC (Russian Olympic Committee), where ex-Pack Artem Anisimov has yet to play. ARIZONA The long-running saga in the desert is reaching the end of the story. A plan has been approved locally to have the sad-sack oft-troubled Arizona Coyotes play at the new on-campus venue at Arizona State for three years with an option for a fourth year. They're trying to wind through a skeptical local political windmill and get a third arena built in Tempe. A long-time trusted source was quite pointed on the subject. "The optics look just awful. A team like Seattle, who just spent a billion dollars renovating their arena and $650 million to get into the NHL, who are doing well, have to be looking on in horror. How can a league let a team play in a sub-standard AHL building, though it will be brand new at, say the 5,000 they are saying, let alone NHL level facility which it clearly will not be, for multiple years and not get priority dates (ASU will) and only game revenue (no building or naming rights)? "Simply put Gary Bettman does not want to ever lose a market like Arizona. I'm shocked there is not more of an uproar so far over this. This obviously has to affect the HRR (Hockey-Related-Revenue) between the players and the owners as agreed to in the CBA." There will be cries to move the team from many former and new cities looking to join the NHL. RELOCATION SITES? In Quebec City, there is a hockey palace already built waiting for an occupant. The Videotron Centre was built five years ago to NHL specs to replace the old Colisée de Québec (later known as Colisée de Pepsi at the end of its heyday). In Houston, the fifth-largest television market, there is also a ready-made already built arena. For Hartford, nothing has been done to the XL Center (nee Hartford Civic Center) in 25 years except for cosmetics to the concourse, a couple of Zambonis, and a new floor, ice, and chiller system. This same source opined about the speculation surrounding any possible moves from Arizona. "You can write this in stone and send it up the hill with Moses. There will NEVER be another NHL team in Quebec City again because of the currency problem, the ongoing language issue (in the province), and the Montreal Canadiens veto power over it. However, they want to extend their brand. They have an AHL team in Laval and an ECHL team in Trois-Rivieres 40 minutes away, halfway to Quebec City. "Hartford? Ha! They can't even get a new building in the twenty-plus years for an AHL team. "Houston will remain in reserve for a new team and say an $800 million dollar payday. Look there have been two expansions and they're still on the outside." HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

Former Wolf Pack Jeff Toms' son, Connor, signed his junior tender contract with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) and joining him is another offspring of Wolf Pack, Tyler Savard, the son of Marc Savard. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

Ex-Pack defenseman, David Urquhart, leaves the San Diego Gulls after three seasons and returns to Montreal to become the head coach of his alma mater, the McGill University Redbirds (OUAA). He is ninth in all-time for a defenseman in points in school history. He's tied with former NHL head coach Mike Babcock. Drayson Pears of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) signs with HC Cholet (France FFHG Division-2), making 74 collegians signed in Europe and 87 total collegians to sign pro deals in North America and Europe. Goalie Dixon Grimes, the son of former New Haven Senators center Jake Grimes, signs his junior contract with the Guelph Storm (OHL), who drafted him two years ago. He played with the Listowel Cyclones (GOJHL). The ECHL Coralville, Iowa expansion team, affiliated with the Minnesota & Iowa Wild, announced its nickname as the Heartlanders. The Trois-Rivieres team is likely waiting for the end of the Canadiens playoff run before making the announcement. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings MARLBOROUGH, MA - Providence scored six goals over the second half of the hockey game and defeated the Hartford Wolf Pack 6-3, and captured their second consecutive Atlantic Division title Thursday afternoon The Wolf Pack closed out the abbreviated AHL 24 game regular season with a record of 16-9-1-0 for 29 points, and Providence concluded the year with a 15-6-2-2 record for 34 points. Just before the game the Wolf Pack lost two-thirds of their top line in Justin Richards and Tim Gettinger and top forward Jonny Brodzinski because of injuries and suspensions. So, head coach Kris Knoblauch had to creates several new line combinations for their all-important regular season finale. The Wolf had built a 2-0 lead nearly halfway through the second period before the Bruins rallied on Hartford. The Wolf Pack in the first period as defenseman Zach Giuttari took a pass from Anthony Greco launched a shot at the net that was blocked in front. Still, the puck went right to Patrick Khordorenko, who whistled a hard wrist shot from 30 feet out that sailed over Bruin’s goalie Dan Vladar blocker pad and into the back of the net at 13:49 for his fourth goal of the season. The Wolf Pack had solid chances in the first period Mason Geersten early in the period and Ty Ronning had three quality chances early, a powerplay bid midway through the period and late in the period that Dan Vladar denied each one. Ryan Dmowski (Old Lyme/Gunnery prep) is playing just his fifth game of the year, and first, since his birthday was denied with 2:55 left in the first. Adam Huska did his best in stopping all shots he faced, including Robert Lantosi twice, Urho Vaakanainen, and Jack Studnicka. In the second period, the Pack went up 2-0 as captain Vincent LoVerde too raced in from the right point, took Patrick Khordorenko’s backhand pass off Paul Thompson’s rebound, and caught Loverde perfectly in stride as he fired his first of the season into the net at 6:17 The Bruins rallied as first Pavel Shen at the right point sent a tape-to-tape pass to Ian MacKinnon, the Bruins heavyweight who zipped a hard wrister short side past Adam Huska at 12:36 for his first goal of the year. Providence struck 60 seconds later and tied the game at two. The Pack’s Zach Giuttari wraparound clearing attempt on the right-wing boards went past Auston Rueschhoff, and rookie Edwards Tralmaks stopped it at the left point sent a low, accurate shot toward the net Huska made the save. The puck was at Huska’s feet, and the Bruins Oscar Steen had inside position on and jammed home his s goal of the season. The momentum had shifted like the wind of a Texas-sized thunderstorm. The wind carried Providence the rest of the game. The Wolf Pack had a chance to take the lead late and deflate the Bruns balloon, but Ty Ronning hit the post with 2:44 to go on the right-wing from 10 feet out, falling backward. A goal there might have made a difference. The ensuing play back up ice the Bruins scored the dagger shorthanded goal. Tommy Cross (Simsbury/Westminster Prep) made perfect outlet to Samuel Asselin who dished a pass to Jack Studnicka who then maneuvered through center ice entered the Wolf Pack zone. Then fed Vaakanainen the puck and he fired a low wrister stick side past Huska at 18:02 for his first of the year and a 3-2 Bruins lead they never lost. In the third period, the Bruins scored three more and pulled away from the Wolf Pack. James Sanchez made an early clear of a puck in the blue paint area, but persistent Providence Edwards Tralmarks worked the puck off the apron of the back of the net to keep the play alive. The Bruins expanded the lead to a two-goal margin just 2:03 into the period as Tralmarks put a solid shot on net Huska made the first save Oskar Steen skating by tap the loose puck underneath Huska for his fifth goal at 2:03. Then Curtis Hall Yale Bulldog was the recipient of a pass by Pavel Shen, who had stripped the puck from rookie Will Cullye and Hall used Patrick Sieloff as screen and fired his first pro goal by Huska at 9:47 for a 5-2 lead and the Wolf Pack could start warming up the bus. Then Samuel Asselin completed the second half of the game Bruins power surge smacking in a rebound of a Jack Studnicka shot in front and for his eighth goal at 14:38. The Wolf Pack last goal of the season came off the stick of Quinnipiac grad Alex Whalen with his second of the season shorthanded at 18:48 as Paul Thompson forced a turnover and Whalen had an empty net to shoot at as Vladar was stuck behind his net. NOTES: --Due to injuries suffered last night in the Rangers brawl filled loss to Washington and the Rangers playing in Boston tonight 40 minutes from Marlborough Tim Gettinger, Justin Richards and Jonny Brodzinski were recalled by the Rangers. Sadly, no Wolf Pack player day/night doubleheader. -Tyce Thompson (Milford/Salisbury School), after a two-point game against Wilkes Barre/Scranton, is recalled by New Jersey. LINES: Newell-Sanchez-Ronning Thompson-Khordorenko-Greco Rueschhoff-O’Leary-Geersten Dmowski-Whalen-Cullye Raddysh-Taylor LoVerde-Skinner Giutarri-Sieloff Huska Wall THREE STARS Jack Studnicka Providence Dan Vladar Providence Samuel Asselin Providence HONORABLE MENTIONS Patrick Khordorenko Hartford Pavel Shen Providence Urho Vaakanainen Providence SCRATCHES: Francois Brassard was the lone scratch for the game Gabriel Fontaine (upper-body injury season-over) NOTES: -The Wolf Pack scoring race the recalled Morgan Barron, who scored his first NHL goal last night against Washington, finishes top with 21 points as the 8th best in AHL rookie scoring, tops among rookies in powerplay goals with six, which is second-most in the AHL, where he is tied with multiple players. Tim Gettinger with 19 (9-10) and Ty Ronning with 10 goals and 18 points in 18 games were the Wolf Pack’s top three scorers. Tarmo Reunanen also on recall finished with 17 points currently sixth among AHL rearguards and was just outside the Top 20 field among overall rookie scorers. Goalie Adam Huska dropped out of the top 10 goalies list, He played 13 games with 734:38 in net with a record of 9-4-0-1 a 2.70 GAA and a .890 save percentage. Ex-Pack in the Top 10 of AHL scoring Danny O’ Rega is sixth and has 30 points in 33 games leading the expansion Henderson Silver Knights in scoring, Adam Cracknell of Bakersfield is in a five-way tie at 29 points. Trevor Zegras (Avon Old Farms) is 7th with 21 points on 10 goals and 11 assists and is on recall to Anaheim. Former Ranger Cody MacLeod of the Iowa Wild leads the AHL with 91 PM in 28 games and is currently serving a two-game suspension. Ex-Pack Vinni Lettieri of the San Diego Gulls second in game-winning goals in the AHL with five. Lias Andersson of the Ontario Reign is tops with three shorthanded goals. NOTES: -As expected, the AHL Board of Governors (BOG) in a conference Zoom call approved Vancouver’s relocation of its AHL team to Abbotsford, BC starting in the fall, and New Jersey relocates Binghamton to Utica and will play as the Utica Comets in October at the Adirondack Bank Center not as the Devils as expected. Utica announced a new 10-year agreement with New Jersey and planned to open their season on October 17th, marking the 34-year anniversary of the first time AHL hockey was played in Utica. According to Abby News, the Vancouver Canucks have entered into an agreement in principle on a five-year agreement to run the Abbotsford Centre. They will be paid a $750K-C to run the building, with the city be responsible for capital maintenance and repair costs. The first AHL Abbotsford team, the Heat affiliated with Calgary, had a supply fee deal and, after five years, was paid by the city $5.5. million to exit the deal halfway through. Expect Binghamton to play in either the ECHL, FPHL or go dormant in the fall. -The league did not deal with the potential of the name and logo change in Bridgeport to become the Bridgeport Islanders. They may drop the Sound Tigers name and logo as their original 20-year lease and marketing setup expires; that was done by the late owner Roy Boe. Boe purchased the dormant Beast of New Haven franchise 30 days after it was mothballed, paying the Carolina Hurricanes the 2 million dollar franchise fee they required. He also signed a 20- year 20 million dollar lease in which he reneged on. Then was forced to turn the franchise over to the late Islanders owner Charles Wang instead of the non-compliance with non-payment of his required affiliation fee and numerous commercial debts with local vendors and sponsors plus employees that had accumulated in the first three years of ownership. The franchise values are now between $10-$12 million dollars. No news on a new lease arrangement at the Webster Bank Arena now run by OVG, but the team will likely stay there and a new deal will more than likely be announced sometime later this summer. -UCONN men's hockey head coach Mike Cavanaugh announced the team captains for the 2021-22 season. Seniors Carter Turnbull (Nanaimo, British Columbia) and Jachym Kondelik (Budejovice, Czech Republic) have been elected the team's captains for the upcoming season. At the same time, classmates Marc Gatcomb (Woburn, Mass.) and junior Roman Kinal (Waterford, Mich.) will be alternate captains. “I am so honored to have been chosen as Captain this year by my teammates. I believe this is the best group of talented guys we have had yet, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead this team to a championship this year,” said Turnbull in a press release. This will be the second consecutive season the Turnbull will wear a letter on his jersey for the Huskies.  The senior served as an alternate captain in 2020-21.  Turnbull played in all 23 games last season and was second on the team with nine goals.  He finished the season with 13 points (9g/4a) and generated a team-best 95 shots.  During his three seasons in Storrs, he appeared in 86 games with 23 goals and 21 assists on the ledger. Jachym Kondelik expressed his gratitude for the announcement. “I think being named a captain is a huge responsibility and an honor, especially because it is something that is being chosen by my teammates and coaches.  I think we have a great group and that everyone on this team will be a leader in certain ways.” Kondelik, the big 6-5 forward, is UConn’s top-returning career scoring leader, having piled up 71 points in 91 career games as a Husky.  He has scored 16 career goals with 55 assists and is a +7 over his three seasons.  This past year Kondelik was second on the team in scoring with 22 points coming on four goals and a team-best 18 assists in 23 games, and after the season, he was named to a Hockey East Third Team All-Star. Marc Gatcomb, a versatile big forward, will be a big part of the leadership quartet for a full college hockey season next season. “I am honored my coaches and teammates have given me the opportunity to represent the University of Connecticut at this high standard. I’m grateful to be alongside three great leaders and excited to get things started this fall.” Gatcomb, like Turnbull, took the ice for all 23 games this past season, finishing the year fifth on the team in scoring with 12 points, posting six goals and six assists.  Over his three seasons, Gatcomb has played 88 games and has 25 points on 14 goals and 11 assists. Roman Kinal, who has battled through injuries twice in his collegiate career at UCONN, seems a perfect fit to have a letter on the left side of his jersey. “It’s a huge honor to be chosen as one of the captains by the coaching staff and my teammates. With a team full of leaders, we have something extremely special here at UConn. I’m looking forward to getting back on campus to compete for a national championship.” After being forced to miss all of the 2019-20 season due to an injury, Kinal made his return to the Huskies defensive unit this year and finished with six points (1g/5a) in 16 games and was a +6 for the season.  His lone goal on the season provided the game-winner in a 2-1 win on the road at New Hampshire.  He has played in 50 games in two seasons with 13 career points (2g/11a) and 49 blocked shots. -In other state college hockey news, long-time Quinnipiac assistant coach for the last 13 years Bill Riga was named the new head coach of the Holy Cross Crusaders (AHA). Former head coach David Berard stepped down in April and was named the associate athletic director for men’s and women’s hockey at Providence College (HE) on Monday. Berard, a Rhode Island native, is a PC alum academically and athletically was a UCONN assistant in 2012-13 during their AHA years under the late. A year before, Mike Cavanaugh was hired. Berard’s son Brett plays at Providence College and is a NY Rangers draft pick. His other son Brady plays for the US National U-17 Team is a PC commit for 2022-23. -Quinnipiac will play host to a long-time national collegiate powerhouse, North Dakota, on October 22-23 at the People United Center. -Junior goalie Strauss Mann (Greenwich/Brunswick School) is forgoing his last year at Michigan (Big 10) and going pro to a yet unnamed team. That makes 69 players from Division I to sign North American pro deals and a total of 74 players Division I and III to sign. -Scott Morrow (Darien) de-commits from North Dakota (NCHC) and graduates from the Shattuck’s St. Mary’s Sabres (MNPREP) and will be at the newly crowned national champions UMASS-Amherst (HE) in the fall. The right-handed shot is expecting to go in the first two rounds of this summer’s NHL Draft. -Three more college transfers, two school transfers in Griffin Loughran from Northern Michigan (WCHA) to Michigan St. (Big 10) and Trevor Zins from St. Cloud St. (NCHC) to the brand-new Division I program, St. Thomas (MN) University (CCHA). Then a grad transfer Sam Sternschein heads from Penn State (Big 10) to Boston College (HE).  He is the fourth grad transfer for the Eagles. That makes 56 school transfers and 45 grad transfers. -Bad news for the University Alabama-Huntsville, who fought off program elimination last year with the help of its most famous graduate, ex-Pack/CT Whale, goalie Cam Talbot had their conference application to the new CCHA conference turned down. So, now they are waiting to hear about their AHA conference application. In the meantime, the program is shutting down till they find out their conference status. -Ex-Pack Marek Mazanec makes it official and switches Czech Republic teams leaving HK Hradec Kralove heads to HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech Republic-CEL). -Former Sound Tiger David Ullstrom, who played for three Swiss League teams this year, EHC Biel/Bienne (NLA), HC La-Chaux-de-Fonds (LNB), and HC Davos (LNA), is close to returning to his native Sweden and signing with HV71 (Sweden-SHL). -Another ex-Sound Tiger Jamie Fraser was talked out of retirement and signed another one-year deal with ESV Villacher SV (Austria-IceHL) and will again be the team captain. -Ex-Sound Tiger Olivier Labelle switches teams in France from GHC Bordeaux in the French Elite Magnus League to HC Mulhouse next season. -Ben Smith, (Avon/Westminster Prep) is going from Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL) to EHC Munich (Germany-DEL) next season. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - If Steve Miller wanted to rewrite his masterpiece, "Take the Money and Run" and put a Hartford Wolf Pack spin on it, it might sound something like this. "This a story about Bigras and Gilly, two young hockey players with plenty of skill to show, here’s what they did when they decided to cut loose - Go on take the money and run!" AHL CONTRACTS ON THE RISE Take the Money and Run also defined how the last few days of NHL/AHL moving day or free agents. Jaws were sure to drop upon review of some of the salaries AHL players were handed out this week. It left everyone in the know, in some cases, more than just a little bit astonished. Cantlon's Corner has been reporting on the AHL since the late 1980s. At that time, the average salary was approximately on average, around $40K. A scant few top echelon players made $50K. Since that time, the 100-plus time percent increase is mind-numbing and must leave former AHL vets, shaking their collective heads. In 2019, in professional hockey, everything is about the cap. As of Wednesday, of the 124 total contracts offered, the teams collectively have spent over $707M. Stunning… poverty is certainly not a word one would hear among those in hockey circles. All salary numbers come from capfriendly.com A longtime hockey insider who requested anonymity put it in stark terms. What has driven this hockey salary "arms race?" ”The salary cap is precious gold. Teams protect that at all costs. The one-way money; that’s a real number and affects the cap either negatively or positively. Two-way contracts, which most AHL contracts, are, you see that while the increases are real, it really doesn’t affect the cap because the AAV is based on the overall one-way contract and that’s what matters.” Some players don’t need to head to Europe if they are raking in these type of salaries. Several teams have more lateral ability than others and some current and ex-Wolfpack players are benefiting greatly. Greg McKegg, who split last season between Charlotte and Carolina, inked a one-year, one-way deal for $750K  with the Rangers. That money counts on the cap. It's also a nice hefty increase from his AHL gig last season that paid $70K. Danny O’Regan, Jeff LoVerde, Harry Zolniercycyzk, and Thomas McCollum, are all new Pack signees. Their salaries have yet to be posted. Philadelphia helped out Lehigh Valley with ex-Pack, Chris Bigras, who signed for a $250K-AHL & $700k-NHL deal up from his $70K AHL contract last year. Andy Andreoff from Syracuse got himself a $750K one-way up from his previous $680K deal. Nate Prosser, from Iowa, earned a slight increase at $421.5K-AHL/$700K-NHL for two years up from his $400K/$700K contract. Rochester will get John Gilmour if he doesn’t make the Sabres roster and it will cost them $700K. Arizona helps out Tucson with two players returning from Europe. Andy Miele from Torpedo Novgorod (Russia-KHL) gets a two-year deal paying $275K in the AHL and $725K in the NHL. Beau Bennett from Dynamo Riga (Latvia-KHL) nails down a $200K-AHL and $725K-NHL pact while Aaron Ness, the ex-Sound Tiger, gets a two-year deal at $300K-AHL & $725K-NHL. In Binghamton (New Jersey), Dakota Mermis goes from $100K in Tucson to $200. A few took a pay cut. Ben Street was making $750K in San Diego and slips to $425K while Matt Tennyson from Rochester goes from $659K to $350K. Neither is expected to start clipping coupons. Charlotte (Carolina) sign enigmatic ex-Pack, Brian Gibbons (Salisbury Prep), for $100K-AHL and $725K-NHL after playing for a $1million last year between Anaheim/Ottawa. The Colorado Eagles (Avalanche) handed ex-CT Whale, Jayson Megna, a $350K-AHL and $700K-NHL one-year deal. Dan Renouf, from Charlotte, gets a two-year deal paying $275K in the first year and $350K for the AHL in his second year. He'll earn at the NHL level, $700K for two years. T.J. Tynan gets one-year deal paying him $425K in the AHL and $700K in the NHL. Chicago (Las Vegas) was among the busiest teams. Pat Brown from the Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers goes from $100K to $450K in his first year and $700K in his second year. Tyrell Goulbourne, after a nine-goal campaign with Lehigh Valley, goes from $70K to $225K-AHL/$700K-NHL in the first year and $700K second. Jaycob Megna (Jayson’s brother) goes from $260K in San Diego to $400K with the Wolves. Montreal beefed up Laval with Riley Barber ($300K-AHL.$700K-NHL) and Phil Varone ($450K-AHL/$700K-NHL) from Hershey and Lehigh Valley respectively. San Diego, via Anaheim, signs AHL Butterfield trophy winner, Andrew Poturlarksi, from Charlotte to a $350K-AHL/$750-NHL on a one-year deal. In Springfield, Tommy Cross (Simsbury/Westminster Prep) goes from $300K to $325K. Ethan Prow from Wilkes Barre/Scranton is joining him and going from $90K to $700K per for the next two years. Kevin Roy, after just 14 games last year with Anaheim and San Diego, gets a $300K-AHL/$850K-NHL seal for one year. Tampa Bay aids Syracuse with two new goalies veteran Scott Wedgewood and Spencer Martin at $750K one-way each. Ex-Pack, Chris Mueller, migrates to the Syracuse Crunch from the Toronto Marlies where he'll make $700K on a one-way, one-year up from his $650K last season. Danick Martel, despite an injury-shortened season (15 games) is rewarded with a $700K one-way deal after a $65K-AHL deal last year. Daniel Walcott, the ex-Pack, who, after just five games because of shoulder surgery, is given a one-year $125K deal for the AHL and a $700K NHL contract. Stockton gets Bryon Froese next season for $450K-AHL/$700K-NHL after splitting last season with Laval and Lehigh Valley. The Texas Stars got help from parent Dallas when they signed Tanner Kero from Utica. He gets two years at $300K in the AHL in the first year and $350K in the second with $700K & $775K respectively in the NHL. That's for two years and both are “down” from his one-way $800K deal last year. Utica (Vancouver) inked Justin Bailey to a $700K one way for two years. PLAYER AND COACHING MOVEMENT Last season’s Wolf Pack captain Cole Schneider re-signs with Nashville and will play for Milwaukee. No contracts details have been released yet. Six more AHL’ers head overseas for next year with two of them heading to Kunlun (China-KHL). Tyler Wong, from the Chicago Wolves, and ex-Pack, Adam Cracknell, who split last season between San Diego and Toronto. Also heading East is Adam Helewka of Milwaukee/Tucson who signs with Barys Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan Russia-KHL) and the latest Trevor Cheek of the Tucson Roadrunners goes to Esbjerg (Denmark-DHL). Mark McNeil goes from Providence to EHC Linz (Austria-EBEL) and Zack Mitchell leaves the Ontario Reign for Neftekhimik (Russia-KHL). In Mitchell’s case, you think his agent explained to him he was leaving a sunny, warm LA suburb to go to Siberia? Now 52 AHL’ers have signed for Europe next season. Ex-Pack, and one funny guy, Francois Bouchard, makes it back home after playing with Dundee (Scotland-EIHL) to play for St. Jerome (LNAH) next season. Ex-Pack, Tomas Kundratek, leaves HC Davos (Switzerland-LNA) and heads home to HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech Republic-CEL). Brett Magnus of Sacred Heart University (AHA), signs overseas with HUS Hokii (Netherlands BEL-NED HL). That makes 44 collegians to sign for Europe and 221 overall college players signed pro deals. Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The roster wheels were churning on Monday. It was going so quickly that not a single hamster or a gerbil on a Habitrail wheel would have kept pace. The New York Rangers led the parade of signings by inking the most sought after free agent, Artemi Panarin, away from the Columbus Blue Jackets to a seven-year contract that will pay the Russian winger $11.642 million per year. Earlier, the Blueshirts sent winger Jimmy Vesey to the Buffalo Sabres for a 2021 third round draft pick. The Rangers also began their rebuild of the Hartford Wolf Pack by signing two players, center Greg McKegg and forward Danny O'Regan. McKegg, 27, split his season between the AHL Champion Charlotte Checkers and skated in 41 NHL games with the parent, Carolina Hurricanes in 2018-19. While with the big club, McKegg registered six goals and five assists for 11 points, along with eight penalty minutes. McKegg is a solid two-way player who's particularly strong in taking draws. He has 146 faceoff wins in 286 (51%) taken this past season. He also helped Carolina advance to the Eastern Conference Final in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he recorded two goals in 14 playoff games. McKegg recorded his first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal/point, which also was the game-winning goal, in Game 4 of the Second Round against the New York Islanders on May 3rd; the goal helped the Hurricanes complete a sweep of the Islanders and advance to the Eastern Conference Final. While skating in 31 games in Charlotte in the 2018-19 season, the 6-0, 194-pounder registered six goals and 17 assists for 23 points, along with 18 penalty minutes. McKegg tallied at least one point in 17 of his 31 AHL games with the Checkers during the past season, and he recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in his last 16 games with Charlotte prior to being recalled by the Hurricanes on Jan. 4, 2019. McKegg has skated in 132 career NHL games over parts of six seasons (2013-14 – 2018-19) with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and in Carolina, where he's amassed 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points, along with 40 penalty minutes. During McKegg’s four-season career (2008-2012) in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), he served as the Erie Otters’ captain for parts of two seasons, played in the OHL All-Star Game during the 2009-10 season, and helped the London Knights win the OHL Championship in 2011-12. McKegg was originally selected by Toronto in the third round, (62nd overall), in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. McKegg’s great uncle is “Leapin” Lou Fontinato, who played parts of seven seasons with the Rangers (1954-1961) in 398 games he had 22 goals and 79 points and 939 PIM. He played his last two years of his 535 game NHL career in Montreal as he had 104 total career points and 1,274 PIM. Led the NHL with an unheard of then 202 PIM in 1955-56 again in 1957-58  for the Rangers and his first year in Montreal 1961-62. O’Regan like Rangers Head Coach David Quinn and Hartford GM and Rangers assistant GM Chris Drury, are all products of the BU Terriers. In 70 games with the AHL Rochester Americans, O’Regan, 25, this past season, registered 20 goals and 28 assists for 48 points, along with a plus-four rating and 42 penalty minutes. O’Regan helped the Americans advance to the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs, and he skated in three playoff games. The 5-10, 180-pounder right winger has 182 career AHL games over three seasons (2016-19) with the San Jose Barracuda and the Americans. He's logged 56 goals and 90 assists for 146 points, along with a plus-eight rating and 68 penalty minutes. O’Regan received the Red Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, as he led all AHL rookies with 58 points (23 goals and 35 assists) in 63 games with San Jose. O’Regan was also named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team and played in the AHL All-Star Game in 2016-17. In addition, O’Regan has helped his team advance to the Calder Cup Playoffs in each of his three seasons in the AHL; he has tallied nine points (five goals, four assists) in 21 career Calder Cup Playoff games. O’Regan has also skated in 25 career NHL games over parts of three seasons (2016-19) with the San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres, registering one goal and four assists for five points, along with two penalty minutes. Prior to beginning his professional career, O’Regan played four seasons at Boston University (2012-16), registering 66 goals and 88 assists for 154 points, along with a plus-28 rating in 154 games. O’Regan was named to the NCAA (East) Second All-American Team and the Hockey East First All-Star Team as a senior in 2015-16, as he led Boston University in goals (17), assists (27), and points (44) during the season. He also was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team in 2014-15, as he helped Boston University win the Hockey East Regular Season Championship and Hockey East Championship and advance to the National Championship Game. O’Regan established collegiate career-highs in goals (23), assists (27), points (50), and plus/minus rating (plus-40) in 2014-15. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2012-13, as he became the first freshman to lead Boston University in points since ex-Ranger Tony Amonte in 1989-90. O’Regan is tied for 15th on Boston University’s all-time points list. O’Regan was born in Germany while his father, former NHL player Tom O’Regan, was playing professionally. O’Regan has represented the United States in several international tournaments including winning a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championship while playing alongside current Rangers Brady Skjei, and Jacob Trouba. O’Regan also played alongside Skjei, and Trouba, with the U.S. National Team Development Program during the 2011-12 season. In addition, O’Regan, and Skjei were teammates with the United States at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship. O’Regan was originally selected by San Jose in the fifth round, 138th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers then continued their revamp of the Wolf Pack to make it a more competitive team that can win games, as well as create an environment for young players to grow and build some organizational depth by announcing the signing of three players who all have won titles, been team-leaders. They will join McKegg and O'Regan to combat the laissez-faire hockey that has plagued the Pack the past five years. Defenseman Vincent LoVerde, a veteran of eight pro seasons, has spent the last two years with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. In 68 games with the Marlies in 2018-19, the right-handed shooting LoVerde scored three goals and added eight assists for 11 points, while serving 33 minutes in penalties.  In 13 playoff games with Toronto, LoVerde had six assists. In 2017-18, LoVerde helped the Marlies to a Calder Cup, the second of his career. LoVerde, a 30-year-old native of Chicago, captained the LA Kings’ AHL affiliate’s for the previous three seasons, two with the Ontario Reign and one with the Manchester Monarchs.  In 2014-15 with Manchester, LoVerde won his first Calder Cup title, in the Monarchs’ last season in the AHL. In 432 career AHL games with the Marlies, Reign, and Monarchs, LoVerde has totaled 45 goals and 107 assists for 152 points and has registered 316 penalty minutes.  He played collegiately with Miami (OH) University when they were in the CCHA conference. Thomas McCollum, a 29-year-old netminder, just completed his tenth season of pro hockey, playing 34 games with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. The 6-3, 215-pounder went 12-10-10, with a 2.72 goals-against average, a .899% save percentage and had two shutouts.  McCollum was a first-round draft choice (30th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. McCollum has seen action in 315 total AHL games with the Admirals, Grand Rapids Griffins, Charlotte Checkers, and Stockton Heat.  His career AHL stats are 147-117-23, with a 2.72 GAA, a .907% save percentage and 11 shutouts.  McCollum won a Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2012-13. Prior to turning pro, McCollum played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, with the Guelph Storm and Brampton Battalion. Harry Zolnierczyk enters his ninth pro campaign. He played last season up I-91 with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds as they tortured the Wolf Pack. The 5-11, 186-pound Toronto native had a pro-career-high 51 points, including a team-leading 36 assists (15-36-51), along with 38 penalty minutes, in 72 games. The former Brown University (ECACH;) product has skated in 84 career NHL games, with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators, totaling seven goals and six assists for 13 points, plus 93 penalty minutes.  Zolniercyczk has always been a fleet skater and has an agitating side as well has played in 426 career AHL contests with the Thunderbirds, Adirondack Phantoms, Norfolk Admirals, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, San Diego Gulls, and Milwaukee Admirals, the 31-year-old Zolnierczyk has amassed 106 goals and 137 assists for 243 points, along with 446 PIM. Zolnierczyk was originally signed as a free agent by the Flyers March 8, 2011. There were several signees with Wolf Pack and Connecticut connections. Former Connecticut Whale and Ranger, Mats Zuccarello. He left the Dallas Stars to lay roots in Minnesota with the Wild where he signed a five-year/$30 million deal with former New Haven Nighthawk, now Wild GM, Paul Fenton. Bolton, CT native Ron Hainsey signed a one-year deal with the Ottawa Senators for $3.5 million. Former Kent Prep player, Noel Acciari, leaves the Boston Bruins and signs with the Florida Panthers earning a nice pay increase from $750K a year to $1.6M per year for four years totaling $5 million. Ex-Pack/Whale goalie, Cam Talbot, heads back out West and signs with the Calgary Flames for $2.75M on a one year deal. Former Yale Bulldog, Ken Agostino, departs the Devils and the swamps of New Jersey for the Maple Leafs on a two-year deal for a very cap friendly, $700K per year. Now ex-Pack, John Gilmour, as expected, left the Connecticut capital and choose to sign with the Buffalo Sabres who were among 13 suitors for the offensive-minded defenseman. He signs a one-year, one-way NHL deal at $700K. Former assistant captain Rob O’Gara, the other Wolf Pack Group 6 free agent remains unsigned at this writing. Gilmour’s now former teammate, Chris Bigras, landed a similarly sweet deal signing a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. He will play with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms on a two-year, one-way deal paying him $700K per year. Another ex-Pack, Chris Mueller, signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning / Syracuse Crunch earning the same $700K for one year. Ex-Sound Tiger, Aaron Ness, scored the same $700K deal with the Arizona Coyotes / Tucson Roadrunners for two years. Connor Clifton, the former Quinnipiac University Bobcat, signed a three-year extension at a million per year with Boston. He has one year left at $725K. Other players who have been made UFA’s and could be signed over the next few days include: Anaheim: Ex-Pack, Adam Cracknell Columbus: former Sound Tiger, J.F. Berube, signed with Philadelphia. Detroit: Wade Megan (Salisbury Prep) Edmonton: Ex-Pack, Al Montoya Minnesota: Landon Ferraro, the son of former Hartford Whaler, Ray Nashville: Ex-Pack, Cole Schneider Ottawa: Ex-Pack players Oscar Lindberg, Brian Gibbons, and Adam Tambellini Pittsburgh: Ex-Pack, Chris Summers Tampa Bay: Ex-Pack’s Dan Girardi, and Marek Mazanec Toronto: Ex-Sound Tiger, Steve Olesky. Washington: Ex-Pack, Jayson Megna, and goalie, Parker Milner (Avon Old Farms). The Calder Cup champion Checkers watched as two more players depart. Pat Brown went to the Las Vegas Golden Knights / Chicago Wolves (AHL)  on a $700K - NHL / $450K - AHL next year. His contract pays him $700K on a one-way in the second year. Andrew Poturlarski departs for California signing with the Anaheim Ducks / San Diego Gulls. Riley Barber of the Hershey Bears signs with Montreal/Laval for $700K-NHL/$400K-AHL. Tommy Cross (Simsbury/Westminster Prep) leaves Cleveland and signs a one year $700K deal with the Florida Panthers / Springfield Thunderbirds. Daniel Carr, the AHL's regular season MVP, leaves Chicago (AHL) and signs with the Nashville Predators / Milwaukee Admirals for $700K. Tomas Jurco rescued from Springfield by Charlotte, signs with the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year, one-way $750K contract. Former Whaler, John Stevens Sr., signs as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars. Nick Lukko (Salisbury Prep), the son of NHL power executive, Peter Lukko (Florida) has retired to become the assistant coach with Reading (ECHL) next year as he was their captain last season. In a very lesser note, the Wolf Pack’s secondary affiliate, the Maine Mariners, tendered qualifying offers to five players including two ex-Pack’s in Greg Chase, the nephew of former Whaler, Kelly  Chase, and Alex Kile. (NOTE: Some parts of a Hartford Wolf Pack press release were used in the formation of this story) Read the full article